Expect natural gas bills to increase by $4

 Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company have reached a unanimous settlement agreement with all of the parties in the base rate cases before the Kentucky Public Service Commission. The recommended agreement, which is subject to KPSC approval, lowers the late-payment charge, extends the time period for paying customer bills, gives the company responsibility for natural gas service lines and provides for additional charitable giving.

Under the agreement, LG&E’s base electric rates will increase $33.7 million, down from the original request of $62.1 million. LG&E’s base natural gas rates will increase $15 million, down from the original ask of $17.2 million. KU base electric rates will increase $51 million, down from the original ask of $82.4 million. LG&E and KU also agreed to lower their annual electric depreciation rates. The agreed upon return on equity is 10.25 percent for the base rates as well as the environmental cost recovery mechanism and the new “gas line tracker.”

For KU customers using 1,000 kWh per month, the increase is expected to be $4.82 per month or about 5.8 percent.

For LG&E customers using 1,000 kWh per month, the increase is expected to be $4.31 per month, or about 4.8 percent. For LG&E natural gas customers using 60 Ccf per month the increase is expected to be $3.53 per month or about 7.3 percent. Under the agreement, LG&E natural gas customers will now have a “gas line tracker” item on their bill that reflects the costs associated with the company’s gas main replacement program and gas service lines. Previously, customers were responsible for repairs to the service line from the street to the house. Those repairs will now be the responsibility of the utility. LG&E plans to reimburse customers who demonstrate that they replaced their service lines due to failure from Jan. 1, 2011, through the end of this year. 

Other changes include reducing the late payment charge from 5 percent to 3 percent and extending the due date to 16 business days — at least 22 calendar days before a late payment charge is applied to the  bill.

LG&E and KU each agreed to contribute an additional $187,500 of shareholder funds annually to low-income programs, bringing the total shareholder commitment to $1 million per year. The current Home Energy Assistance program also will increase from 16 to 25 cents per meter.

If approved, the new rates and all elements of the settlement agreement with the utilities and interested parties would take effect Jan. 1, 2013. The parties to the case are: the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Kentucky Industrial Utility Customers, Community Action Council, Association of Community Ministries, The Kroger Co., Kentucky School Boards Association, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Hess Corporation and Stand Energy Corporation.